Our goal was to refine and enhance the transformation effect in our game to make it smoother, more aesthetically pleasing, and above all, more enjoyable for you. We completely redesigned the metamorphosis mechanic to create an unforgettable experience.
Previously, our transformation effect involved particles floating in the air, taking on the shape and color of the player's original mesh. However, this process was lengthy and could become repetitive, risking player fatigue. So, we decided to completely rethink this effect to make it more dynamic, faster, and captivating.
Now, the transformation occurs without particles in the air and without the time needed for the transition between forms. How is this possible? Let me explain the steps of this new effect in detail.
First, we used a technique called "morph target" in the Blender software. Morph targets deform the player's mesh and the object they wish to transform into, creating a vertex animation. We created a morph target from the player's appearance to an intermediate form resembling the transformation object, but not yet its final form.
In parallel, we created a morph target for the transformation object, again using an intermediate form between the player and the final object. It was crucial that these two morph targets were similar, as they serve as the junction point between the two meshes.
We repurposed this technique to create nonlinear transformations. It took a lot of work to adjust the morph targets and find the right balance between the original and destination shapes.
Once the morph targets were created, we exported them from Blender and imported them into Unreal Engine. However, morph targets often have flaws and visual issues. To address this, we used an "emissive" material in Unreal Engine. This emissive material emits light, masking the imperfections of the morph targets. Additionally, by using a white emissive material for both meshes, the player and the transformation object, we created a visual common ground between them, making the transition even smoother.
But that's not all! To add a dynamic and captivating aspect to the transformation, we used what's called "World Position Offset" (WPO) in the Unreal Engine material. WPO allows us to move vertices as needed. In our case, we used it to create a glitch and deformation effect on the meshes during transformation, giving the impression that the objects are not yet fully stable and formed. This creates a sense of movement and evolution during the metamorphosis, adding excitement to the experience.
Finally, to make the transformation effect even more immersive, we added visual and sound effects. We wanted the transformation to be visually and auditorily captivating for players. We added particle and glitch effects to give a sense of energy and movement during the transformation. The use of camera shake, World Position Offset (WPO) in the material, and progressive dissolve transitions helped create a sense of organic evolution between forms. Sound effects also played a crucial role in accompanying each step of the transformation, creating a multisensory immersive experience.
Overall, this new transformation effect provides a fresh and captivating gameplay experience. By becoming smoother and faster, this will allow players to be more flexible and thus more responsive to the enemies and traps present in the tower.
You will soon be able to test the transformation mechanic with the release of the game demo for the Steam Next Fest.
We can't wait to introduce you to this new feature in Project Tower. Stay tuned for more surprises and improvements we're preparing for you.
See you soon in the Project Tower! ????
The Project Tower team
